The Fair Sex

Interview by Philip Stringer

Thanks for letting us interview you... it is quite an
honor.
There are several influential bands that seem to have
had profound effects underground music (yourself
included) but rarely do you see the credit go to the
ones who deserve it. Do you feel that over the years
"The Fair Sex" has gotten the credit it deserves for
it's influence on Industrial/Gothic music? And what
are some bands that you believe that you may have
influenced that are still making music today?

Thank you for the kind words. This is Myk Jung
answering your questions here in Germany. We were one
of the first industrial bands going back into the
1980's that crossed guitars with electronics but
never had the success of the NIN's of the world
either. Unfortunately the most influential bands never
seem to get the credit either. Over the years we have
worked with every band imaginable in Germany from Die
Krupps to Project Pitchfork,the later still going
strong as far as I know.
Of course our heroes were bands such as Skinny Puppy
who we had the honor of playing with as recent as 2005
in Germany. To answer your question we have never
gotten the credit or success that we deserved but
hopefully our music will live on into the digital age
in such places as itunes etc.

The side projects that have spun off from "The Fair
Sex" have been at times quite different from the
original format of the band, do you find that these
other styles influence the overall sound that "The
Fair Sex" has had over the years?

Actually these projects are designed to explore
directions and genres that are very different from The
Fair Sex, such as TESTIFY which was an extreme aggro
industrial metal crossover project that actually
became more successful and well know in the states
than TFS as well as TESTIFY did many European tours
with the likes of Die Krupps and Armageddon Dildos.
The best of TESTIFY "Aggro" is coming out in 2007 but
I think it is available now on itunes as well as a new
video for "Seed of Wrath" remix by Die Warzau on
places such as you tube and break.com

Is there any truth to the rumor that the song "Not Now
Not Here" is a reaction to the Jesus Jones's Pop song
"Right Here Right Now"?

That is interesting and the first I have heard of that
rumor. The song was written about the apathy in
society and that people don't care about the world
around them until it effects them personally

Germany being the industrial Mecca of the world so to
speak, do you feel that your location has helped you
or been more of a hindrance to your music/career?

It helps artists who want to survive in an underground
scene as there is great club and tour support here
unlike the states. However it is more difficult to
become a rock star so to speak. Germany is a great
country to maintain your art and achieve cult status.
So for longevity it is great but if you are looking
for fame and fortune that would not be the case.

Being on tour in such an interesting and dynamic sub
culture surely a band such as yourselves comes into
contact with interesting places and people. What is
your most interesting "road story?"

I guess in the early 90's we were playing a German gig
right after our most successful release in Germany
"Bite Release Bite" and we had a real big buzz going
on the band. It was on that tour that we got mobbed by
young screaming groupies that tore off Rascal's shirt
and stole L'O's shoes. That was the closest to rock
star status we ever came.

What is your opinion about the recent influx of "soft
synth" in the last decade, and how do you feel it has
effected not only your own music, but the music of the
subculture in general?

That is a little shameful as because of the "future
pop" influence allot of industrial bands have lost
their edge and anger which the genre is all about to
me. Don't get me wrong I am a big fan of synth pop but
it has its place like all other genres. We still try
to keep TFS dark and angry and meaningful with well
crafted electronics, guitars and vocals. We hope our
fans will still appreciate our art for years to come.
Thank you for the interview. Myk